Bracket clamp



Nov. 5, 1940- P. N. CLOUTIER BRACKET CLAMP Filed May 9, 1939 FIG.

FIG.4

INVENTOR. PAUL. N CLOUTIER M 5 ATTORNEY.

Patented Nov. 5, 1940 UNIT-ED ,.s 'rATEs- 1.220.214 1 nnacna'rcmur Paul N. Cioutier, Decatur, lib. alliance-to Far-lea Manufacturing Company, Decatur, 111., a cormum of Application May a, ma, Serial No. 212,551 1 Claim. on. 24-24:)

My invention relates more specifically to clamps whichare designed to hold a bracket to support a lamp, though it will be clear to those persons skilled in the art that it canreadily be I adapted for various applications where the need:

arises. r

Clamps of this type, with which I am familiar,:

are designed to clainp on a square'edged deskv with ample room for the clamping plate to fric- 11 tionally engage the inner surface of desk or table edge;' The result of this construction is that when .one wishes to clamp the bracket on the edge of one of the newer and more modern types of desks or tables constructed .usually of metal II with a round, bevelled or moulded edge, the

clamp will not hold. 4

My invention has for its principal obiect to provide. a clamp which will secure the bracket firmly in the desired position, regardless of the 20 curvature or configuration of the edge of the desk or table to which itis to be fastened.

A further-object is to so construct the clamp that it will be adaptable to various thickness of the top as well as the configuration of the edge 85 of the desk or table;

A further object is to so construct the clamp that although it will hold the bracket securely at all times, it -will not mar the top of the desk or table at I 80 My means of accomplishing the foregoing objects may be more readily understood by having reference to the accompanying drawing which is hereunto annexed and is a part of this specification, in which:

85 Fig. 1 is a side elevation of my improved clamp showing a lamp bracket mounted on a desk having a round edge typ Fig. 2 is a view without the bracket and showing a different edge; 1

0 Fig. 3 shows my device clamping on a desk having another form ofedge;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged side elevation with the clamping plate omitted; Fig. 5 is a bottom view with the screw shown 6 in cross section; and

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the clamping plate.

Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the entire specification.

60 While for the purposes of this application, I have illustrated my invention to hold a lamp bracket, itwill be apparent that suchuse is but one of many uses to which my invention may be put, and the showing. is but for the purpose of 88 disclosing a concrete embodiment of a preferred formof invention, and is not at all to be taken as a limitation thereon.

As shown in the drawing, a fragmentary outline of a section of a table or desk edge I only is shown, since obviously the table or desk forms 6 no part of my invention. My clamp which is secured to the portion I comprises a vertical or body portion, 2 which is preferably formed integral with a frontv or top portion 3 which extends at substantially right anglesto the body 2. 10 In practice it may-be found desirable to cover the lower surface I of the front portion 3 with a layer of felt or othersimilar material to protect the top of the desk. The lower end 5 extends inwardly and is' provided with a hand screw 6 which is mounted in a threaded opening formed in the lower end 5. The body 2 is formed with two vertical wings or walls I and 8 which extend laterally'from the body 2 of the clamp. A plurality of slots 8 and ID are formed in the walls I and 8 respectively. That portion of the walls which forms the edges of-the slots 8 and Ill, are slanted, as clearly seen in Fig. 4. A follower plate H is formed with legs I! and I3 designed to rest in the. slots I and it. This follower plate H is provided with a concave or convex socket l4 adapted to receive the end ll of the screw 6 which is fitted to and coincides with the socket M. This socket It is preferably located nearer the body portion 2 than the outer edge of the 80 follower plate II. A rod or handle I1 is mounted in the other end ll of thescrew 6 for its convenient manipulation. The operation of the clamp is as follows: The screw 6 is retracted and the follower plate II is placed in position. The 86 legs I! and it being inserted into the slots 9 and III which are suitable to clamp the desk or table top of corresponding thickness. The end I! of the screw I is then placed in the socket II and the screw 6 is rotated by its handle II. This 0 tips the follower plate II, as clearly seen in Figs. 1, 3 and 3, instead of moving it upwardly in a horizontal'plane, causing its edge It to engage the'lower surface of the desk or table edge. The result is that a very slight pressure upon the handle II will fasten the clamp so firmly on the desk, whether it be steel or wood, that it cannot be accidentally dislodged, yet it can be easily 'removed'by retracting the screw 8.

I have shown the body portion 2 constructed to support a lamp bracket H, but as explained, it can be shaped to support any kind of a bracket. Having described my invention what I regard as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

A device of the character described comprisinzvertically extended hodynortlonhavin a tontlooselyinsaidslomascrewhavinzaoonhorisontal extension at one' thereof, the oldal end'mounted in the lower extension being lowersurtaceotwhichisslnootmasm erexasocketinsaidplateinwhlchtheendolsaid tension at the other end and two laterally exscrew tits whereby rotating said screw will cause 5 tending vertical winxs havin: a plurality of the edle otsaidplate toenme the article to he s transverse slots in their edges, the am-laces ot clamped. 4 which are slanted. a plate provided with two legs I PAUL N. CIDUTER. 

